You’ve probably encountered dry mouth, sometimes called “cotton mouth.” It could have happened on a hot summer day or after a vigorous workout. A simple glass of water will suffice if you have a dry mouth for a short time.
A dry mouth can occur when your salivary glands do not produce enough saliva. This is frequently caused by dehydration, which occurs when your body does not have enough liquids to generate the necessary saliva. If you’re anxious or apprehensive, it’s also typical for your mouth to dry and your tongue to feel like sandpaper.
Prolonged, chronic, or recurring episodes of dry mouth, on the other hand, are cause for concern. This is known as xerostomia, and it should be treated immediately by consulting with your doctor. We’ll cover more information about cotton mouth in this article.
What Exactly Is Dry Mouth?
Dry mouth is a condition in which your salivary glands fail to generate enough saliva to keep your mouth moist. Saliva is necessary because it helps limit bacterial growth and neutralizes acids in the mouth.
Saliva also helps with chewing and swallowing, and it improves the taste of food. Finally, salivary enzymes begin the digestion of food long before it reaches the stomach.
Symptoms Of Dry Mouth
A dry mouth makes your tongue feel like sandpaper and causes difficulty swallowing, chewing, and speaking. Other dry mouth symptoms include halitosis, cracks in the mouth, mouth redness, blisters or ulcers, pain, and dryness. Having difficulty eating dry or spicy foods and alterations in the tongue’s appearance.
Medications And Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is one of the most common complaints and side effects of over 1,800 medicines, including antidepressants and antipsychotics. This results in noncompliance in many cases. Dry mouth may appear to be a minor concern, but it frequently remains undiagnosed and untreated, resulting in health problems and a lower quality of life. Drug combinations, as well as an increase in dose or change in medication, can cause dry mouth. Please consult your doctor if you are taking drugs and have a dry mouth.
Other Possible Causes Of Dry Mouth
Other than drug side effects, other things can cause dry mouth. These are some examples: excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and dehydration are caused by not drinking enough water daily.
Aging, drug use, poor nutrition, and/or other health issues. Cancer treatment can result in temporary (or possibly permanent) dry mouth due to chemotherapy medicines or radiation damage to the salivary glands.
Methamphetamine usage is known to create “meth mouth,” while marijuana also causes dry mouth. Other potential causes include, but are not limited to, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and nerve injury.
Your tongue can become sore too. Take a look at this video as you read to learn more:
What Can I Do At Home To Treat Dry Mouth?
You can attempt a few remedies to help lessen the impact of dry mouth. We’ve listed some of them for you here.
Hygiene
If you have a dry mouth, you must practice good oral hygiene. Use mouthwash and brush your teeth twice a day. This will aid in the prevention of tooth decay. Cavities and degradation are more likely in dry mouth patients.
It is also critical to stimulate saliva production. Saliva guards your mouth and teeth against decay and disease. Some dry mouth solutions might increase saliva production and alleviate discomfort.
Chewing And Sucking Help Increase Saliva Flow
Try sugar-free ice pops or ice cubes, sugar-free hard candies, or sugar-free gum containing xylitol. Sips of water or other sugarless fluids throughout the day.
Items That May Be Beneficial
Artificial saliva products aid in saliva production. These products are frequently offered as a rinse or over-the-counter spray. Some toothpaste and mouthwashes are designed specifically for dry mouth, lip gloss, and cool-mist humidifiers, especially if you sleep with your mouth open.
Avoid The Following
Foods and beverages that are acidic, spicy, salty, dry, and sweet. Caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated beverages. Mouthwashes contain alcohol or peroxide, which may cause your mouth to become even drier.
How Can I Prevent Dry Mouth?
You may not be able to avoid every cause of dry mouth. Some, though, can be avoided.
What To Do
Consume plenty of water. Drink eight glasses of water every day, sipping often. To avoid having a dry mouth at night, use a humidifier, especially in your bedroom.
Breathe through your nose rather than your mouth.
What To Avoid
Antihistamines and decongestants are examples of over-the-counter drugs that can cause dry mouth. Inquire with your doctor about a different treatment or drug.
Caffeine, cigarettes, and alcoholic beverages.
Dry mouth treatments and home cures might make you feel better. Maintaining your oral hygiene routine, including frequent dental appointments, is critical. Taking care of your mouth and teeth can help you avoid long-term dry mouth damage.
If dry mouth is a sign of a more severe condition, such as Sjogren’s syndrome, diabetes, or cancer, your prognosis is determined by how that condition is treated and how long you have had symptoms.
Why Is Saliva Important?
Consistently having a dry mouth can have long-term health consequences.
Protection And Maintenance
Saliva is mostly water, but it also contains secretory proteins, electrolytes, and other protective components. These components keep the mouth healthy by maintaining a healthy pH, cleaning and protecting the teeth, facilitating swallowing and digesting, remineralizing the teeth, and protecting the mouth from dryness and harmful germs.
Prevent Tooth Cavities
More tooth cavities can occur when the mouth does not produce enough saliva. Saliva regulates the pH of the mouth. Because of insufficient saliva, the pH falls below 5.5, tooth enamel begins to peel away, and cavities form.
Oral Health Importance
Saliva is essential for oral health. This is why, if you have a dry mouth, you should take good care of your teeth. Brush your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day, floss regularly, and use an alcohol-free mouthwash to avoid further dryness of the mouth.
Conclusion
Having a dry mouth and a tongue that feels like sandpaper is typical for a short time. It is frequently caused by a lack of hydration, poor dental hygiene, or lifestyle factors such as heavy smoking or alcohol consumption. However, if the issue persists, it is critical to seek medical attention.
